Erica Ash

Erica Chantal Ash (September 19, 1977 – July 28, 2024) was an American actress, comedian, singer, and model. She was a cast member on the sketch comedy programs MADtv and The Big Gay Sketch Show, and she later starred in the Starz sitcom Survivor's Remorse.

Early life and education

Ash was born in Tallahassee, Florida, on September 19, 1977, to Donald and Diann Ash. Her parents were both in the U.S. military, leading the family to relocate often, moving to Germany and other parts of the world. She attended a performing-arts school in Atlanta, Georgia, during her youth. Ash planned on becoming a doctor, graduating from Emory University, in Atlanta with a degree in pre-medicine, and prepared to attend medical school.

However, after a trip to Japan, where she became a backup singer and a runway model, Ash decided to pursue a career in entertainment.

Career

The Big Gay Sketch Show

In February 2006, Ash landed multiple job opportunities in Broadway shows like The Lion King and a two-week job in Germany. After returning from Germany, she successfully auditioned for the cable television comedy show The Big Gay Sketch Show. Ash was a cast member for two seasons. While she was a cast member, Ash had to split her time between the first season of the sketch show and The Lion King.

Some of her characters included LaTanya, an uncouth, loudmouthed fitness instructor who teaches classes with a "Chicago-style" twist (i.e. Chicago-style yoga, Chicago-style Pilates).

MadTV

Ash joined the cast of MADtv in 2008 as a featured performer for the 14th season, along with Matt Braunger, Eric Price, and Lauren Pritchard. She became the fifth African-American female cast member in the show's history (Debra Wilson, Daniele Gaither, Nicole Randall Johnson, and Daheli Hall were the first four).

Of the five female African-American cast members, Ash and Hall are the only two who were never promoted to the repertory cast due to seasons 13 and 14 being hit with budget cuts that didn't allow new cast members to stay long on the show. Ash remained a featured member of the MADtv cast during the show's 14th and final season on FOX. As of 2024, Ash is now the first (and, so far, only) deceased cast member of MADtv.

Characters

• Cerise Muhammad — Daughter of Legions — 14 — "...and everything, so."

Impressions

• Naomi Campbell — Various — 14
• Whoopi Goldberg — Various — 14
• Mo'Nique — Various — 14
• Lisa Leslie — Various — 14
• Raven-Symoné — Family Feud — 14
• Michelle Obama — Various — 14

Death

Ash died from breast cancer in Los Angeles on July 28, 2024, at the age of 46. Ash had first been diagnosed in 2008 and went into remission after treatment, though the cancer recurred in 2018.

Filmography

Ash's acting career projects include:

Film appearances

• 2001 — Minna no Ie — Naomi
• 2011 — I Can Smoke? — Carmen — Short film
• 2013 — Scary Movie 5 — Kendra Brooks
• 2014 — Kristy — Nicole
• 2015 — Sister Code — Jamaya
• 2016 — Jean of the Joneses — Anne
• 2017 — All I Wish — Nikki
• 2017 — Miss Me This Christmas — Regina
• 2018 — Uncle Drew — Maya
• 2019 — Skin in the Game — Lena
• 2021 — Violet — Lila
• 2021 — Horror Noire — Shanita
• 2021 — The Big Bend — Georgia Talbott
• 2022 — Singleholic — Sarah Wilcox
• 2023 — We Have a Ghost — Melanie Presley
• 2023 — Outlaw Johnny Black — Bessie Lee

Television appearances

• 2006–2008 — The Big Gay Sketch Show — Various Characters — Sketch Comedy
• 2008–2009 — MadTV — Various Characters — 12 — Sketch Comedy
• 2009 — Cold Case — Regina Reynolds — 1 — Drama
• 2012 — American Judy — Maya — Television film
• 2013–2016 — Real Husbands of Hollywood — Bridgette Hart — 19 — Recurring Role
• 2014–2017 — Survivor's Remorse — Mary Charles "M-Chuck" Calloway — 36 — Main Role
• 2016 — Hell's Kitchen — Herself — 1 — Dining Room Guest
• 2018 — In Contempt — Gwen Sullivan — 10 — Main Role
• 2019 — RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars — Herself — Guest Judge
• 2019 — Legacies — Veronica Greasley — 4
• 2019;2021 — Family Reunion — Grace — 3
• 2020 — Bless the Harts — Julie Vous Coucher (voice) — 1
• 2021 — A Black Lady Sketch Show — 1
• 2021 — Aquaman: King of Atlantis — Wendy (voice) — 1
• 2021 — Sacrifice — Beverly Rucker — 1
• 2022 — Unthinkably Good Things — Reesa — Television film
• 2024 — Extended Family — Lydia — 1

Video games

• 2002 — Shenmue II — Additional Voices — Video gameXbox version
• 2002 — DDRMAX Dance Dance Revolution 6thMix (PlayStation 2, Japan) — Singer (Kind Lady) — Video game
• 2002 — DDRMAX2 Dance Dance Revolution 7thMix (PlayStation 2, Japan) — Singer (Kind Lady (interlude)) — Video game
• 2003 — DDRMAX2 Dance Dance Revolution (PlayStation 2, North America) — Singer (Forever Sunshine) — Video game
• 2003 — Bloody Roar 4 — Nagi Kirishima — Video game